For most observers, it’s easy to see where Lachie Hunter has improved his game this season.
His numbers are up across the board, from contested possessions, to inside 50s, to marks per game, to clearances and of course, total possessions. The list goes on.
Speaking to westernbulldogs.com.au on Tuesday, teammate Marcus Adams marvelled at Hunters ability to find the football, the 21-year-old midfielder breaking the 30-per-game barrier for the first time in his career this season.
But as he runs out for his 50th game on Saturday afternoon against Sydney, assistant coach Steven Kings talks of a natural leader with a rare ability to assess the game as it’s happening and play a coach-like role out on the field for his teammates.
“Lachie’s a really intelligent footballer, he sees the game really well,” King said.
“You can go to him with a message as a coach and he’ll help deliver that.
“For someone who has only played that many games to see the game, and also to have that composure and be relaxed enough to relay those messages, not every player can do that.
“It’s a challenging game, AFL footy, and sometimes you do your best just to run around out there, so to actually take a deep breath to sum up what’s around you… Lachie’s got a great feel and sense of what’s going on in a game.”
After an indifferent start to the 2015 season, Hunter has come a long way since to being in All-Australian contention according to many pundits, something that King says is a credit to the fourth-year-player.
Lachie is the son of Mark Hunter who played 130 games for the Club between 1988 and 1996, and for King, the father-son angle adds to the feel-good factor around Hunter’s emergence.
“You know he’s going to be around, he loves the place, he grew up with his father here, so it’s just a great story.
“The boys love him, he’s a good character around the Club, the boys love spending time and having a bit of fun with him.
“He doesn’t take life too seriously, he’s got a really good balance of being able to relax but also knowing enough about footy to be able to help influence others
“So it’s a great effort and you know at this point his next 50 and beyond are going to be even more impressive.”
